ROME: If you had 108 minutes to spend in Rome, start at the Coliseum. An epic 2,000 year old structure, this ancient gladiatorial stadium is awesome to behold. Don't bother going inside, since you don't have much time, but do pause to take a picture with one of the men posing as gladiators (if you're willing to spend 5-10euro on the picture). From there, take a stroll toward Piazza Venezia, one of Rome's busiest piazzas. On your way, look down into the ancient Roman fora on either side of the road. You can see basilicas built during the rule of Agustus, the spot where Julius Caesar was accidentally cremated, and a Mussolini-era reconstruction of the Roman Senate. At the end of the road you'll find the maze of pedestrians, buses, cars, motorcycles, walkways, trees, and grassy areas that is Piazza Venezia. Take care crossing the piazza: Italian traffic follows rules of its own. While in the square, make sure to snap a picture of the giant marble monument you can't possibly miss. Built to honor Victor Emanuel II, the first King of united Italy, Italians find the building obnoxious. All of this probably took about 35 minutes, so you have a little over an hour left. From Piazza Venezia take the side street leading to Lago di Antonio, another Roman piazza. In the center of the square, take a moment to look down over the ruins of three small temples and watch the hundreds of cats which live among them. On the other side of the square you'll see the Theatre of Lago di Antonio. Slightly beyond the theatre is the spot where Julius Caesar was murdered on the steps of the senate and possibly uttered the famous Shakespearian line, “Et tu, Brute?” Hop on the tram and take it across the Tiber River. Make sure to look out the window to the right as you cross – you'll see the quaint pedestrian-only Ponte Sisto bridge, and above the top of the Vatican rises over the trees. To the left, you'll see the small island Isola Tiberina. Get off at the first stop across the river. Across the small piazza you'll see a short brick tower. Only a handful of these medieval towers, each once the center of a small community, remain. Mussolini destroyed most of the city's medieval architecture in his haste to uncover the ancient ruins beneath. At this point, you probably have about 40 minutes remaining. Take the first street on your right and follow its winding path into the heart of Trastevere, one of the city's most characteristic districts. If all the walking has built up your appetite, follow the smells of fresh bread into the small pizzeria on your left. Behind the glass cover you'll see more than a dozen types of pizza. From artichoke to shrimp to Italy's famous Buffalo mozzarella, it's some of the best pizza in Rome and you're certain to find something to whet your appetite. Sit and enjoy your pizza with a soda or beer – Peroni is the local brand – at the long counter along the wall, or take it with you and eat as you walk. Head out of the other entrance and wind your way deeper into Trastevere. From ancient buildings to colorful laundry hanging out the windows to dozens of Vespas parked along the streets, this part of the city is as quaint and characteristic as a picture-book. After a few minutes you'll find yourself in Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere. Be sure to take a peek inside the church. Its exquisite mosaics are breathtaking to behold. As your time draws to a close, grab a drink from one of the square's cafés or a gelato from Blue Ice, relax on the steps of the fountain in the center of the square, and enjoy the sights, the smells, and the sounds of bella Roma. BM
